Back from great trip to SXM. First time staying on the island but have frequented PJIA many times on way to St Barts.
Thanks to this board and Rays SXM site for suggestions.

Day 1: Flew from Boston on GWV Charter with Icelandair. Great service, on time each way. Only "but" is 3.30am checkin going down (but we were at SSBB for lunch).

Immigration at PJIA was 45 min and we were the only plane there. Later in day delays were over an hour to get thru and get luggage.
Rental car with Hertz. Unfortunately there were 6 of us so we needed a minivan. It was ok but expensive.
Stayed at Royal Palm Beach Club (Sunterra Timeshare). Resort was clean, friendly staff and attentive. Checked in early so we could change clothes. Went back to SSBB for lunch (great burgers) and to await the rest of our party coming from JFK.
Dinner that night at Cheris. A wild place. Funky entertainment and loud. Food good, standard island fare.(Fish, ribs, chicken, pasta, burgers.)
In our party were college girls so we were lazy most mornings. Coffee and reading on our lanai watching the activity in Pelican Bay. (where lots of day trips leave from and where the Edge I and II leave for SBH and Saba each day.

Day 2: Leisurely morning. Off to OrientBeach. Had lunch at Bikini Beach Bar and set up on their beach for afternoon sunning, people watching, etc.. Wonderful beach. Lots of activity.
Dinner at Hot Tomatoes on Simpson Bay. Great pizza. Interesting "live entertainment" with a singer and sax player and kareoke machine. He was good.

Day 3: Shopping Day in Philipsburg. Good buy on David Yurman gold bracelet. Philipsburg was fun and we liked the new boardwalk. Had lunch at Taloula Mangoes on the Boardwalk. It was good. Some of us shopped and some sat on the "beach". "Only" 2 cruise ships in so was manageable.
Dinner at L'Alabamas in Grand Case. This was the only restaurant we made reservations for (good thing) and the only one all week that was "full". Outstanding meal though expensive ($360 for 6 people with wine). I see why this is a if not the top rated restaurant on the island. Service, ambiance, food outstanding. Worth every penny (dollar-more on that later).

Day 4: Did a snorkle trip to Creole rock (off Grand Case). It was good but the snorkling paled against my last experience in the Tobago Cays. Fun trip and got a guided tour of the Lagoon and Marigot (from the water).
Dinner at Bananas. This is right next to the movie theatres near Pelican Cay. Was very good. Popular with "locals". Loved it.
After dinner went over to Grand Case for "Harmony Night". This is a wonderful street party with vendors, food, music on the mainstreet of Grand Case. Lots of people, about half and half locals and tourists. Great night.

Day 5: Went to Marigot for market day shopping. We prefer the shopping here to Philipsburg though for jewelry/electronics P is better. Had lunch at St Germain on the Marina Royale and had crepes. Great lunch and desert crepes. Afternoon to Baie Rouge. Great beach. Softest sand, you sink 4-6 inches with each step. Clear water great swimming.
Dinner at Peg Leg Pub and Steakhouse on Simpson Bay. It was ST Patricks day and they had a special corn beef and cabbage buffet. We actually did not partake. It was crowded and lively though. We ate outside and enjoyed the Lagoon sites.

Day 6: Went to Pic Paradis. We got robbed. As many have said don't leave valuables in car, even if locked. We did and paid the price. They got into our locked van and made off with 2 watches, $80 in cash and an IPod. This put a damper on the day somewhat. View was nice though (but not worth $500). Went on to Le Galion beach (next to Orient). Had lunch at Chez Pats. Good windy, shallow beach. Lots of kids.
Dinner at Turtle Pier. Mediocre, maybe because we were still bumbed out by the robbery. God awful singer who thought he was good and tried to sell his CDs.

Day 7: We split us and half went on a "Swim with the Dolphins" adventure (on Anguilla). I won't make social comment about this (personally I abhor the commercialization of Dolphins) but those who went loved it.
Those of us who stayed went back to Marigot to shop some more. Lunch at La Belle Epoque on the Marina Royale. Very good, very French.
Afternoon at Orient Beach (Bikini Bar beach). Loved it. All kinds of people. Funniest site a fully nude man with a fully clothed, no skin at all expose woman, hand in hand.
Dinner that night (our last nite) at Cheris. Not as lively as first night (a Sat). but still good.

Day 8: Home. Half of us up and out to PJIA for 11.45flight, other half later for 5.30JFK flight. All flights on time. PJIA tells you to be there 3 hrs ahead, long security lines at times. Best advice is as others have said, go early check in, pay departure tax then leave airport (if you have an afternoon flight).
Home on time, snow on the ground and cold. UGH!!!

Comments:
Driving: Very congested at times and places, You have to have the mind set you are not in a hurry. Roads are good and signage good.The locals travel often in vans and the vans will stop in the middle of the road (no place to turn off), very annoying and backs up traffic. Traffic worse during hours when people getting off work, noon hour and (around where we were) when the bridges are opened for boat traffic.

The robbery was disconcerting but we "should have known better". Underscore DON'T LEAVE ANY VALUALBES IN YOUR CAR ANYWHERE, ESPECIALLY AT REMOTE SITES.

Dollar vs Euro. No need for Euros. On the Dutch side prices are given in Dollars and NAF (Netherlands Antillian Florin-never saw any of this currency). On the French side prices given in Dollars and Euros. Many places give 1-1 dollar to euro.

All in all a great trip, despite the robbery (its "only" money, no credit cards or hard to replace stuff take), and we will go back.